http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gesr.2024(IX-I).12
10.31703/gesr.2024(IX-I).12
Published : Mar 2024
Factors Influencing the Slow Rate of Postgraduate Degree Completion: A Case of University of Peshawar, Pakistan
The study examines the factors that contribute to the slow rate of postgraduate degree completion at the University of Peshawar-Pakistan. For this purpose, the perspectives of 52 students, both male and female at different postgraduate levels were gathered using a survey questionnaire. The findings reveal that personal factors, such as untimely correction submissions, research topic selection problems, and funding constraints significantly contribute to the slow rate of postgraduate degree completion. Additionally, the student-supervisor relationship and institutional factors including bureaucratic processes, communication gaps, and complicated evaluation processes play crucial roles in the delay. Our study recommends that research competencies, secure financial resources, and flexible study models should be enhanced for the students. Moreover, supervisors are urged to refine their supervision skills, while the institute should create a supportive research environment and reconsider outdated evaluation processes.
-
Contributing Factors, Completion Rate, Postgraduate Students, IER, Pakistan
-
(1) Maryam Begum
MPhil Scholar, Institute of Education and Research, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, KP, Pakistan.
(2) Parveen Khan
Assistant Professor, Institute of Education and Research, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, KP, Pakistan.
(3) Sabeeh Ullah
Institute of Business and Management Sciences, the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Peshawar, KP, Pakistan.
-
Refae, G. G. a. E., Kaba, A., & Eletter, S. (2021). The Impact of Demographic Characteristics on Academic Performance: Face-to-Face Learning versus Distance Learning implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 22(1), 91–110. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v22i1.5031
- Akparep, J. Y., Jengre, E., & Amoah, D. A. (2017). Demystifying the blame game in the delays of graduation of research students in Universities in Ghana: The case of University for Development Studies. European Journal of Business and Innovation Research, 5(1), 34-50.
- Amani, J., Myeya, H., & Mhewa, M. (2022). Understanding the motives for pursuing postgraduate studies and causes of late completion: Supervisors and supervisees’ experiences. SAGE Open, 12(3), 215824402211095. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221109586
- Bagozzi, R. P., & Yi, Y. (1988). On the evaluation of structural equation models. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 16(1), 74–94. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02723327
- Brown, J., McDonald, M., Besse, C., Manson, P., McDonald, R., Rohatinsky, N., & Singh, M. (2020). Nursing students’ academic success factors. Nurse Educator, 46(2), E23–E27. https://doi.org/10.1097/nne.0000000000000882
- Cardona, J. J. (2013). Determined to succeed: Motivation towards doctoral degree completion. Deep Blue (University of Michigan). https://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/99774
- Castelló, M., Pardo, M., Sala-Bubaré, A., & Suñe-Soler, N. (2017). Why do students consider dropping out of doctoral degrees? Institutional and personal factors. Higher Education, 74(6), 1053–1068. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-016-0106-9
- Chabaya, O., Chiome, C., & Chabaya, R. A. (2009). Students’ failure to submit research projects on time: a case study from Masvingo Regional Centre at Zimbabwe Open University. Open Learning, 24(3), 211–221. https://doi.org/10.1080/02680510903201615
- Chidi, N., & Sylvia, O. A. (2021). Determination of Factors that Contribute to Postgraduate Students’ Delay in their Thesis/Dissertation Completion. The Universal Academic Research Journal :, 2(2), 78–86. https://doi.org/10.17220/tuara.2020.02.3
- De Valero, Y. F. (2001). Departmental factors affecting Time-to-Degree and completion rates of doctoral students at one Land-Grant research institution. Journal of Higher Education/˜the œJournal of Higher Education, 72(3), 341–367. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221546.2001.11777098
- Dimitrova, R. (2016). Ingredients of good PhD supervision - evidence from a student survey at Stockholm University. Utbildning Och Lärande / Education and Learning, 10(1), 40-52, 10(1), 40–52. http://du.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:1257192
- Emilsson, U. M., & Johnsson, E. (2007). Supervision of supervisors: on developing supervision in postgraduate education. Higher Education Research & Development/Higher Education Research and Development, 26(2), 163–179. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360701310797
- Enders, J. (2002). Higher Education, 44(3. Higher Education, 44(3/4), 493–517. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1019850524330
- Engineering, N. A. o., National Academies of Sciences, E., & Medicine. (2016). Barriers and Opportunities for 2-Year and 4-Year STEM Degrees: Systemic Change to Support Students' Diverse Pathways. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
- Eyangu, S., Bagire, V., & Kibrai, M. (2014). An examination of the completion rate of Masters programs at Makerere University Business School. Creative Education, 05(22), 1913–1920. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2014.522214
- Hair, J. F., Jr, Sarstedt, M., Hopkins, L., & Kuppelwieser, V. G. (2014). Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). European Business Review, 26(2), 106–121. https://doi.org/10.1108/ebr-10-2013-0128
- Gall, M. D., Borg, W. R., & Gall, J. P. (1996). Educational research: An Introduction. Allyn & Bacon.
- Gill, P., & Burnard, P. (2008). The student-supervisor relationship in the PhD/Doctoral process. British Journal of Nursing, 17(10), 668–671. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2008.17.10.29484
- Goenner, C. F., & Snaith, S. M. (2004). Predicting Graduation Rates: An analysis of student and institutional factors at doctoral universities. Journal of College Student Retention, 5(4), 409–420. https://doi.org/10.2190/lkjx-cl3h-1aj5-wvpe
- Green, S. B. (1991). How many subjects does it take to do a regression analysis?. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 26(3), 499–510. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327906mbr2603_7
- Hair, J. F., Risher, J. J., Sarstedt, M., & Ringle, C. M. (2019). When to use and how to report the results of PLS-SEM. European Business Review, 31(1), 2–24. https://doi.org/10.1108/ebr-11-2018-0203
- Hitchcock, G., & Hughes, D. (1995). Research and the teacher: A Qualitative Introduction to School-based Research. Psychology Press.
- Ismail, A., Abiddin, N. Z., & Hassan, A. (2011). Improving the development of postgraduates’ research and supervision. International Education Studies, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v4n1p78
- Johnston, L., Sampson, K., Comer, K., & Brogt, E. (2016). Using doctoral experience survey data to support developments in postgraduate supervision and support. International Journal of Doctoral Studies, 11, 185–203. https://doi.org/10.28945/3505
- Jones, M. (2013). Issues in Doctoral Studies - Forty Years of Journal Discussion: Where have we been and where are we going? International Journal of Doctoral Studies, 8, 083–104. https://doi.org/10.28945/1871
- Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607–610. https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308
- Litalien, D., & Guay, F. (2015). Dropout intentions in PhD studies: A comprehensive model based on interpersonal relationships and motivational resources. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 41, 218–231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2015.03.004
- Manathunga, C. (2005). Early warning signs in postgraduate research education: a different approach to ensuring timely completions. Teaching in Higher Education, 10(2), 219–233. https://doi.org/10.1080/1356251042000337963
- McCallin, A., & Nayar, S. (2012). Postgraduate research supervision: a critical review of current practice. Teaching in Higher Education, 17(1), 63–74. https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2011.590979
- Memon, M. A., Salleh, R., Mirza, M. Z., Cheah, J., Ting, H., Ahmad, M. S., & Tariq, A. (2020). Satisfaction matters: the relationships between HRM practices, work engagement and turnover intention. International Journal of Manpower, 42(1), 21–50. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijm-04-2018-0127
- Mkhai, E. (2023). Factors contributing to slow completion rate among postgraduate students of the Information Studies Programme at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. IFLA Journal, 49(3), 554–563. https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352231174468
- Mosanya, A. U., Ukoha-Kalu, B. O., Isah, A., Umeh, I., Amorha, K. C., Ayogu, E. E., & Ubaka, C. (2022). Factors associated with the timely completion of doctoral research studies in clinical pharmacy: A mixed-methods study. PloS One, 17(9), e0274638. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0274638
- Mouton, J. (2011). Doctoral production in South Africa : statistics, challenges and responses. Perspectives in Education, 29(3), 13–29. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ945858
- Mugendi, S. M., & Githae, E. N. (2021). PREVALENCE OF NON-COMPLETION AMONG POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS IN SELECTED PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA. European Journal of Education Studies, 8(12). https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v8i12.4017
- Ndayambaje, I. (2018). Effect of supervision on timely completion of PhD Programme. Deleted Journal, 4(2), 57–70. https://www.africaneditors.org/journal/RJE/abstract/83467-97518
- Netshitangani, T., & Machaisa, P. R. (2021). Supervision experiences of postgraduate students at an ODL institution in South Africa. Cogent Social Sciences, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2021.1970442
- Nulty, D., Kiley, M., & Meyers, N. (2009). Promoting and recognising excellence in the supervision of research students: an evidence‐based framework. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education/Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 34(6), 693–707. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602930802474193
- Peng, G., & Zhang, Y. (2021). Student retention and degree completion: The moderating effects of institutional factors. International Journal of Public Administration, 45(16), 1147–1155. https://doi.org/10.1080/01900692.2021.1961149
- Pitchforth, J., Beames, S., Thomas, A., Falk, M., Farr, C., Gasson, S., Thamrin, S. A., & Mengersen, K. (2012). Factors affecting timely completion of a PhD: a complex systems approach. DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals). https://doaj.org/article/aaae648f27764093b8ded21f1486eecc
- Pyhältö, K., Stubb, J., & Lonka, K. (2009). Developing scholarly communities as learning environments for doctoral students. ˜the œInternational Journal for Academic Development, 14(3), 221–232. https://doi.org/10.1080/13601440903106551
- Roldán, J. L., & Sánchez-Franco, M. J. (2012). Variance-Based structural equation modeling. In IGI Global eBooks (pp. 193–221). https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-0179-6.ch010
- udestam, K. E., & Newton, R. R. (2014). Surviving your dissertation: A comprehensive guide to content and process (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
- Sekaran, U., & Bougie, R. (2016). Research methods for business: A skill building approach (7th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
- Sharp, J. A., Peters, J., & Howard, K. (2017). The management of a student research project (3rd ed.). Routledge.
- Skopek, J., Triventi, M., & Blossfeld, H. (2020). How do institutional factors shape PhD completion rates? An analysis of long-term changes in a European doctoral program. Studies in Higher Education, 47(2), 318–337. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2020.1744125
- Sulandari, S., Prihartanti, N., Ali, Q., Salimah, M. R., Savitri, A. I., & Wijayanti, M. (2020). Gender, research approach, type of research, and completion period of the minor thesis (Skripsi). International Journal of Education and Literacy Studies, 8(1), 32. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijels.v.8n.1p.32
- Sverdlik, A., Hall, N. C., McAlpine, L., & Hubbard, K. (2018). The PhD Experience: A Review of the factors influencing doctoral students' completion, Achievement, and Well-Being. International Journal of Doctoral Studies, 13, 361–388. https://doi.org/10.28945/4113
- Sverdlik, A., Hall, N. C., McAlpine, L., & Hubbard, K. (2018). The PhD Experience: A Review of the factors influencing doctoral students' completion, Achievement, and Well-Being. International Journal of Doctoral Studies, 13, 361–388. https://doi.org/10.28945/4113
- Thompson, D. R., Kirkman, S., Watson, R., & Stewart, S. (2005). Improving research supervision in nursing. Nurse Education Today, 25(4), 283–290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2005.01.011
- Van De Schoot, R., Yerkes, M. A., Mouw, J. M., & Sonneveld, H. (2013). What Took Them So Long? Explaining PhD Delays among Doctoral Candidates. PloS One, 8(7), e68839. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0068839
- Van Rooij, E., Fokkens-Bruinsma, M., & Jansen, E. (2019). Factors that influence PhD candidates’ success: the importance of PhD project characteristics. Studies in Continuing Education, 43(1), 48–67. https://doi.org/10.1080/0158037x.2019.1652158
- Viđak, M., Tokalić, R., Marušić, M., Puljak, L., & Sapunar, D. (2017). Improving completion rates of students in biomedical PhD programs: an interventional study. BMC Medical Education, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-017-0985-1
- Yamane, T. (1973). Statistics: an Introductory Analysis. HarperCollins Publishers.
- Zhang, K., Peters, J., Janzing, D., & Schölkopf, B. (2012). Kernel-based conditional independence test and application in causal discovery. arXiv (Cornell University). https://doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.1202.3775
Cite this article
-
APA : Begum, M., Khan, P., & Ullah, S. (2024). Factors Influencing the Slow Rate of Postgraduate Degree Completion: A Case of University of Peshawar, Pakistan. Global Educational Studies Review, IX(I), 107-120. https://doi.org/10.31703/gesr.2024(IX-I).12
-
CHICAGO : Begum, Maryam, Parveen Khan, and Sabeeh Ullah. 2024. "Factors Influencing the Slow Rate of Postgraduate Degree Completion: A Case of University of Peshawar, Pakistan." Global Educational Studies Review, IX (I): 107-120 doi: 10.31703/gesr.2024(IX-I).12
-
HARVARD : BEGUM, M., KHAN, P. & ULLAH, S. 2024. Factors Influencing the Slow Rate of Postgraduate Degree Completion: A Case of University of Peshawar, Pakistan. Global Educational Studies Review, IX, 107-120.
-
MHRA : Begum, Maryam, Parveen Khan, and Sabeeh Ullah. 2024. "Factors Influencing the Slow Rate of Postgraduate Degree Completion: A Case of University of Peshawar, Pakistan." Global Educational Studies Review, IX: 107-120
-
MLA : Begum, Maryam, Parveen Khan, and Sabeeh Ullah. "Factors Influencing the Slow Rate of Postgraduate Degree Completion: A Case of University of Peshawar, Pakistan." Global Educational Studies Review, IX.I (2024): 107-120 Print.
-
OXFORD : Begum, Maryam, Khan, Parveen, and Ullah, Sabeeh (2024), "Factors Influencing the Slow Rate of Postgraduate Degree Completion: A Case of University of Peshawar, Pakistan", Global Educational Studies Review, IX (I), 107-120
-
TURABIAN : Begum, Maryam, Parveen Khan, and Sabeeh Ullah. "Factors Influencing the Slow Rate of Postgraduate Degree Completion: A Case of University of Peshawar, Pakistan." Global Educational Studies Review IX, no. I (2024): 107-120. https://doi.org/10.31703/gesr.2024(IX-I).12